The Steppenwolf's Decision to Live In the novel Steppenwolf by Herman Hesse, the main character, the Steppenwolf, thinks of committing suicide. He tries to justify suicide with religious and philosophical reasons, but in the argument he discovers that his life is worth living and that suicide is not a logical option. Unfortunately, however, the novel provides little evidence beyond the Steppenwolf's feelings as to why he cannot commit suicide. It is the intent of this writing, with some religious and philosophical references, to shed light on the reasons behind the steppe wolf's decision to live. The issue of suicide has been addressed throughout history by many critics. Many try to justify suicide, but for different reasons. The disparity in justifications forces the individual to decipher the applicable reasoning and determine whether the suicide is justifiable. The steppe wolf is one of these individuals. The steppe wolf is controlled by two souls: one of a wolf and the other of a man. For men or human beings the soul is the center of life. The soul is immortal and is believed to continue into the afterlife. Both religion and philosophy see the soul as the center of man and the purpose of their respective ideas. The steppen wolf is controlled by two instincts directly related to the souls of the wolf and man. One behaves like a secluded wolf and the other interacts with people like a man. Because of the two souls, the issue of suicide therefore must be seen for both the wolf and the man. As for the suicide of the wolf, there is no religion for beasts and consequently no religious justification for suicide. Secondly, beasts have no philosophy or means of knowing their existence. Beasts have no concept of life... middle of paper ...... distancing themselves from society only made them understand that the need for human contact surpasses the need to escape from the torments of life. Ultimately, the Steppenwolf chooses life because, in an attempt to justify suicide, he realizes that suicide is not the Steppenwolves' chosen exit. Works cited and consulted Farberow, Norman L., ed. Suicide in different cultures. Baltimore: University Park Press, 1975. Hesse, Herman. The steppe wolf. New York: Henry Hold and Company, Inc., 1963.Lehrer, Keith, ed. Analysis and metaphysics. Dordrecht, Netherlands: D. Reidel Pub. Company, 1975. Quincey, Thomas De. De Quincey's writings. Cambridge: The Riverside Press, 1877. Shneidman, Edwin. The definition of suicide. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1985. Wallace, Samuel E., ed. Suicide and euthanasia. Knoxville: The University of Tennessee Press, 1981.